Chris
Well-Known Member
This entire season, I -- like many of you -- have been hoping that the Jazz could somehow wind up with one of the top three picks in this year's draft. I have been hoping that they could land Jabari Parker for all of the same reasons that are well known and long established among many who think he'd be a great fit in Utah -- so I won't bore you with any repetitions. And while I would really like to end up with Parker, I actually will be okay with the Jazz standing pat at picks 5, 23, and 35.
While landing Wiggins, Embiid, or Parker would be great for the Jazz, I don't think it's worth it to sell the farm in order to acquire any of them. If, for instance, it was evident that Embiid would be selected first overall and Milwaukee wanted Wiggins, and Philly was willing to swap picks with us, then I'd do 5 and 23 for Parker, but that would be the max I would offer (and I actually think that would be too much to offer, to be honest -- there's still value at 23 in this draft). That's a deal that benefits both clubs and it's not unrealistic on either side. But, short of that happening, I don't think giving up any more for Parker is a good call -- and again, I have been hoping for him all year long.
I don't believe Parker is worth deals like (5, 23, and 35) or (5, 35, and Burks), as two of many possible examples. All Philly would have to do is trade down two spots, so they don't get to fleece my squad of all of its draft picks this year or of a key piece in our young core, just for moving two spots down. As it turns out, I don't think Philly is going to want a bunch of draft picks in exchange for their #3 anyway, as they currently have SEVEN picks in this year's draft. In my opinion, no matter what happens, Philly won't be keeping all of those picks. But enough about the 76ers.
Should the Jazz end up sticking with their current situation, I don't think it's a very bad position to be in, considering how deep this year's draft is. So, let's assume the Jazz don't trade anything or anyone, and they just stick with what they have. Here's my preference for the Jazz's moves this offseason.
SCENARIO 1:
In the draft, if Dante Exum is available at number 5, take him. Regardless of who the starters are at any given time, have Burke, Exum, and Burks split minutes in what will quickly become one of the best (and youngest) backcourts in the league. All three of them can handle the ball, run the point, and play off guard. Lots of versatility. Then take Glenn Robinson III at #23 to fill the need at small forward -- as Hayward's backup (I'll get to Hayward later). And use #35 to round out the roster, based on need.
SCENARIO 2:
If Exum's not available (and I secretly hope he's not), select Aaron Gordon. If Lindsey can somehow trade down a couple or three picks and get a little bit of value while somehow guaranteeing that they can get Gordon at that lower spot, then more power to him. Even at #5, I think Gordon's a great selection for the Jazz. In considering where the Jazz's and Aaron Gordon's deficiencies lie, I think they complement each other. I think the ceiling's very high on this kid, and his defense, quickness, and motor are undeniable.
But I believe the Jazz should play him at the small forward position. While he's not much of a shooter per se, he doesn't have to be. He can score in many other ways while he works on his jumper. With his work ethic, he will improve his touch over the next couple of years (including his absolutely abysmal FT%). I think his size and athleticism at SF, when paired with Favors and Kanter, will make the Jazz a force to be reckoned with down low. Throw Hayward into the mix at the 3 from time to time (the Aaron Gordon pick frees Hayward up to play more of the 2-guard with Burks) and you've got a pretty solid rotation from 2-5.
Add to that rotation a #23 selection of Adreian Payne to back up Favors at the power forward and you've got quite a squad. When one considers the Payne selection alongside the Aaron Gordon selection, their pros and cons are almost a perfect complement in that new front court. In addition, in some situations, Gordon has the size to play some power forward and Payne has the presence to play some center as needed from time to time. Then, as in Scenario 1, use pick #35 to round out the roster, based on need.
EITHER WAY:
Re-up Burks and Kanter. Re-sign Hayward. Lindsey's big-dollar moves last offseason with Golden State (and not re-signing Millsap/Jefferson) allows the Jazz to make all three of these roster moves comfortably, now that this offseason is upon us. When mixed with the rest of the roster that I'm talking about here, Hayward doesn't have to be the #1 scoring option. There doesn't have to be a #1 scoring option, because this -- I believe -- will be a great TEAM, with points coming from a number of different contributors each night.
If you look at the free agent market going into this summer, re-upping Hayward looks like a better and better idea. As it turns out, his value may end up being lower than what he and his agent perceived it to be last year, since he had a less than stellar season in 2013-14. The core of young players will have all been extended for the foreseeable future by the time the 2014-15 season begins -- with enough money to sign this year's top-tier lottery pick and then pursue one good free agent this summer in an area of need following the draft.
I think a shooting guard really could really help this squad. In perusing the potential free agents (and depending on how much cap space is left), the Celtics' Avery Bradley and the Thunder's Thabo Sefolosha both seemed like they could be good fits. Both are great defensively, and could be had for reasonable -- or, in the case of Bradley, slightly more than reasonable -- money. Maybe even make a play for Kendall Marshall, now that he's proven that he's not the bust that he was once perceived to be.
Sign Raul Neto and throw him into a rotation with Burke and Garrett. Or, if he's not ready, use the 35th pick to take Spencer Dinwiddie (flexibility / high upside) or Vasilje Micic (maybe the best pure passer in the whole draft), if he's still there at 35.
IN SUMMARY:
The Jazz are still in a good position if they play their cards right, even if they don't end up trading up to a better spot in the lottery. Lindsey and management have given the team a plethora of options this offseason that really could make the Jazz an exciting team to watch next year and for several years to come.
While landing Wiggins, Embiid, or Parker would be great for the Jazz, I don't think it's worth it to sell the farm in order to acquire any of them. If, for instance, it was evident that Embiid would be selected first overall and Milwaukee wanted Wiggins, and Philly was willing to swap picks with us, then I'd do 5 and 23 for Parker, but that would be the max I would offer (and I actually think that would be too much to offer, to be honest -- there's still value at 23 in this draft). That's a deal that benefits both clubs and it's not unrealistic on either side. But, short of that happening, I don't think giving up any more for Parker is a good call -- and again, I have been hoping for him all year long.
I don't believe Parker is worth deals like (5, 23, and 35) or (5, 35, and Burks), as two of many possible examples. All Philly would have to do is trade down two spots, so they don't get to fleece my squad of all of its draft picks this year or of a key piece in our young core, just for moving two spots down. As it turns out, I don't think Philly is going to want a bunch of draft picks in exchange for their #3 anyway, as they currently have SEVEN picks in this year's draft. In my opinion, no matter what happens, Philly won't be keeping all of those picks. But enough about the 76ers.
Should the Jazz end up sticking with their current situation, I don't think it's a very bad position to be in, considering how deep this year's draft is. So, let's assume the Jazz don't trade anything or anyone, and they just stick with what they have. Here's my preference for the Jazz's moves this offseason.
SCENARIO 1:
In the draft, if Dante Exum is available at number 5, take him. Regardless of who the starters are at any given time, have Burke, Exum, and Burks split minutes in what will quickly become one of the best (and youngest) backcourts in the league. All three of them can handle the ball, run the point, and play off guard. Lots of versatility. Then take Glenn Robinson III at #23 to fill the need at small forward -- as Hayward's backup (I'll get to Hayward later). And use #35 to round out the roster, based on need.
SCENARIO 2:
If Exum's not available (and I secretly hope he's not), select Aaron Gordon. If Lindsey can somehow trade down a couple or three picks and get a little bit of value while somehow guaranteeing that they can get Gordon at that lower spot, then more power to him. Even at #5, I think Gordon's a great selection for the Jazz. In considering where the Jazz's and Aaron Gordon's deficiencies lie, I think they complement each other. I think the ceiling's very high on this kid, and his defense, quickness, and motor are undeniable.
But I believe the Jazz should play him at the small forward position. While he's not much of a shooter per se, he doesn't have to be. He can score in many other ways while he works on his jumper. With his work ethic, he will improve his touch over the next couple of years (including his absolutely abysmal FT%). I think his size and athleticism at SF, when paired with Favors and Kanter, will make the Jazz a force to be reckoned with down low. Throw Hayward into the mix at the 3 from time to time (the Aaron Gordon pick frees Hayward up to play more of the 2-guard with Burks) and you've got a pretty solid rotation from 2-5.
Add to that rotation a #23 selection of Adreian Payne to back up Favors at the power forward and you've got quite a squad. When one considers the Payne selection alongside the Aaron Gordon selection, their pros and cons are almost a perfect complement in that new front court. In addition, in some situations, Gordon has the size to play some power forward and Payne has the presence to play some center as needed from time to time. Then, as in Scenario 1, use pick #35 to round out the roster, based on need.
EITHER WAY:
Re-up Burks and Kanter. Re-sign Hayward. Lindsey's big-dollar moves last offseason with Golden State (and not re-signing Millsap/Jefferson) allows the Jazz to make all three of these roster moves comfortably, now that this offseason is upon us. When mixed with the rest of the roster that I'm talking about here, Hayward doesn't have to be the #1 scoring option. There doesn't have to be a #1 scoring option, because this -- I believe -- will be a great TEAM, with points coming from a number of different contributors each night.
If you look at the free agent market going into this summer, re-upping Hayward looks like a better and better idea. As it turns out, his value may end up being lower than what he and his agent perceived it to be last year, since he had a less than stellar season in 2013-14. The core of young players will have all been extended for the foreseeable future by the time the 2014-15 season begins -- with enough money to sign this year's top-tier lottery pick and then pursue one good free agent this summer in an area of need following the draft.
I think a shooting guard really could really help this squad. In perusing the potential free agents (and depending on how much cap space is left), the Celtics' Avery Bradley and the Thunder's Thabo Sefolosha both seemed like they could be good fits. Both are great defensively, and could be had for reasonable -- or, in the case of Bradley, slightly more than reasonable -- money. Maybe even make a play for Kendall Marshall, now that he's proven that he's not the bust that he was once perceived to be.
Sign Raul Neto and throw him into a rotation with Burke and Garrett. Or, if he's not ready, use the 35th pick to take Spencer Dinwiddie (flexibility / high upside) or Vasilje Micic (maybe the best pure passer in the whole draft), if he's still there at 35.
IN SUMMARY:
The Jazz are still in a good position if they play their cards right, even if they don't end up trading up to a better spot in the lottery. Lindsey and management have given the team a plethora of options this offseason that really could make the Jazz an exciting team to watch next year and for several years to come.
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